There’s a nasty problem that afflicts most artists. Some would say it isn’t a problem, some would say it’s merely ‘perfectionism’ or something, but the fact remains: artists tend to be very critical of their own work. I don’t necessarily mean that they HATE everything they produce, though some surely do. I mean that the artist judges his work very heavy-handedly. A painter might hate a portrait simply because they got an ear slightly wrong. A photographer might hate a landscape for being just slightly skewed. A singer might think their performance was awful because they hit one wrong note.
But in all actuality, to the audience — those that look at the paintings or photos, those that listen to the singer — it’s still a beautiful piece of art.
What I’m trying to say is that for every single photo you see of mine on this blog or on Flickr, there are probably 10 others that are great, but not good enough in my opinion. But the sad thing is, history has shown that more often than not, it’s those hated paintings, those paintings that ‘aren’t quite good enough’, that become famous.
Because the artist’s viewpoint is heavily biased. It’s like… you can’t see the forest for the trees. You’re so immersed in your own art that you never really get to stand back and appreciate it. You get to enjoy my art more than I do. How lame is that?!
Anyway…
So, because these photos are probably good, even though I don’t think they’re PERFECT, I thought I would share them with you. Scroll through them, there should be something for everyone! The ‘Sebby Landscapes’ are towards the end, if you don’t like PEOPLE photos.
(Click for a slightly larger version of the blonde guitarist — she’s blonde, can’t you tell?!)
(You probably recognise this kid from the ‘peace’ photo I took of him. A whole lot cuter in this one, eh?)
(Painting with light and smoke! Just an experiment… turned out better than I thought it would be!)
(Aw! There’s a better portrait of her, but it’s not public… so this one will have to do.)
(From one of our ‘invigorating’ walks in the Faroes. From the same ‘session’ as my ‘meet my Faroese hosts‘ post.)
And FINALLY, an over-exposed-but-deliciously-blue-and-cerulean-and-cyan landscape from the east coast of the Faroes. You’ll recognise this landscape from this Faroes post.
zoeo
Sep 9, 2009
>>I don’t necessarily mean that they HATE everything they produce, though some surely do.
i can agree with you. i am very, very critical with my photo-work. i do not like them. maybe a few. i think that’s a big problem for an artist to think so. that could be blockaded.
the fourth photo, that with the girl in my opinion it is too grey. i mean the face. it needs more contrast. so the face could be a less brighter. it gives the whole photo more deep.
Jo
Sep 9, 2009
I think that they are ALL great! Let’s see more Sebby out-takes!
Abi
Sep 9, 2009
BLAM indeed!.
Ah.. so here we go, at last. I am glad you posted these because, as we know… its the ones you are not sure about that are often so very good.
And I just want to point out that in the last 24 hrs… you seem to have used the phrase “cerulean-and-cyan”, or at least cerulean a lot :D. Best word status, clearly.
sebastian
Sep 9, 2009
I threw those in just for you Abi, and our mutual friend(s)!
I always want to put more photos online, but it’s quite hard work going through them, deciding between five almost-identical photos is the best. Do I go for the one where one girl looks pretty, but the other one looks slightly retarded — or where they both look mediocre. Or with the water sharp, but a tree blurred — or vice-versa. *shrugs*
I agree on that photo, Zoeo. I actually played with that one a bit. Was hard to balance because her jumper is so bright…! As I said, the other photo of her is better — I just wanted to try and SHARE… and see how I felt about sharing my ‘bad’ photos
Thanks Jo!
zoeo
Sep 9, 2009
you can do work with layers. take a second one (puh, how can i explain it in english), then a layer mask. take that what you want to change. make the place you do not want transparent. after that you can merge the images. now, the bright of the jumper is not seeing anymore, while the face will be bright because you have balanced it at the first image.
*i hope you could follow me*
sebastian
Sep 9, 2009
I follow, don’t worry! But you will notice that all of my photos are… natural. There are 1 or 2 that are ‘wild’, but normally they are all sights that you can see in nature.
When you mess with a human face, the results are usually a bit weird… and the brain can notice it!
ClareBears
Sep 9, 2009
These are all fab btw! And I know what you mean about not liking art because it’s not quite perfect. Some of the things i’ve made that I like least are the ones that others like most.
I love the blues in the last one!
zoeo
Sep 9, 2009
nature must not be better. i think about the feeling what a photo could give you. if you easy desaturated the photo could it be bored. but everyone sees it differently
Sarah
Sep 9, 2009
I like them!I think that a “slightly flawed,” or at least not 100% perfect, photo is more natural. and a lot of times… isn’t that what photographers are trying to capture, anyway? The kid is my favvv.
sebastian
Sep 9, 2009
Well, indeed Sarah! But perhaps I mean technical errors — at least with regard to photos. But sometimes faults can make something all the more endearing (and in the collectible-art world, errors no doubt make things more valuable!)
I like the last one Clare; but I think I actually prefer the one above it, for its simplicity. But the blues are startling.
zoeo
Sep 9, 2009
i think at this point it is not about errors. errors are one point but i think the photo with the girl is not full of errors. i mean there is no feeling with it. no feeling that gives me the wish to stay for a moment for watching longer. but isn’t it what the artists want … attention.
ultimately everyone has his own way to see and feel what ever he wants.
sebastian
Sep 9, 2009
Hm… I agree that its FORM — the colour, the contrast, the composition — is not ideal. But I still think it’s an interesting photo. Why is she smiling?
zoeo
Sep 9, 2009
that’s it, nobody noticed it. they see this picture and go to another one. don’t get me wrong. i like your photos but i think a few of them could be more interesting and intensive as they are …
that has nothing to do with technical or anything else. you can have the best of technical-photo, however nobody gives them attention.
sebastian
Sep 9, 2009
I am not increasing the contrast just to draw more attention, Zoeo
If you want contrasty photos, go to Flickr. If you want beautiful landscapes, you can stay here 
timoteo
Sep 9, 2009
I’ve got the same tendencies when I shoot. Very judgmental of my own work.
Landscapes are great, but something about capturing people in an absolutely candid moment does it for me.
zoeo
Sep 9, 2009
>>If you want beautiful landscapes, you can stay here
i often watch “Rosamunde Pilcher” movies on TV . not because of the story only for the wonderful landscape
i think about to visit england next year. at first i must get a entry permit for my little dog. it is not easy to enter england with a dog. i want to drive along the coast – only me and my dog
sebastian
Sep 9, 2009
I’d love to do more ‘people’ photography, Tim. I really ought to. Same way I should do more street photography really… but it’s very hit and miss, and you have to really get stuck in, lest you just scratch the surface.
Zoeo — the hard bit will be choosing a coast…! They are all beautiful, but different! I think most people would suggest the south west coast (either England or Wales) to be the prettiest though.
zoeo
Sep 9, 2009
yes, i think about Wales. a friend – she has a horse in the near of me – comes from Wales. a few weeks ago she came back from her holidays with a lot of photos. wow, fantastic. immediately i was in love with this country.
Andhari
Sep 10, 2009
Those are good, you’re such a perfectionist! (I am too, with my music. I hate most of them although people say they like it ). I like the picture with the kid the most, he looks hilarious
Nellyn
Sep 10, 2009
I love the one of the boy doing the Wink & The Gun!!! So cute!
sebastian
Sep 10, 2009
I hope his cuteness made up for the phlegmy badness of the other post…